Functional Behavioral Assessment: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process for gathering data in order to identify the function of problem behaviors. It is used to guide the development of individualized interventions and supports for individuals with challenging behaviors. This review provides an overview of FBA, including its history, components, process, and applications. The review concludes with a discussion of future directions for FBA research.
Introduction
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process for gathering data to identify the function of problem behaviors (Hemmeter et al., 2020). It is used to guide the development of individualized interventions and supports for individuals with challenging behaviors (Kincaid, 2018). The goal of FBA is to identify the antecedents, consequences, and functions of a behavior, in order to develop effective interventions.
History and Development
Functional Behavioral Assessment has its roots in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Originally, this approach was developed to identify the function of behaviors in laboratory settings. Over time, it has been adapted to a variety of settings, including schools and health care settings, as a way to identify the function of problem behaviors (Kincaid, 2018).
Components
Functional Behavioral Assessment consists of four components: data collection, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and intervention planning (Hemmeter et al., 2020). The data collection component involves gathering information about the behavior, such as frequency, duration, and context. The data analysis component involves analyzing the data to identify potential antecedents, consequences, and functions of the behavior. The hypothesis testing component involves testing hypotheses about the function of the behavior. Finally, the intervention planning component involves developing an individualized intervention plan based on the data and hypothesis testing.
Process
The process of Functional Behavioral Assessment involves three steps: data collection, data analysis, and hypothesis testing (Hemmeter et al., 2020). The data collection step involves gathering information about the behavior and its context, such as frequency, duration, and antecedents and consequences. The data analysis step involves analyzing the data to identify potential antecedents, consequences, and functions of the behavior. The hypothesis testing step involves testing hypotheses about the function of the behavior.
Applications
Functional Behavioral Assessment has been used in a variety of settings, such as schools, health care settings, and home settings (Kincaid, 2018). It is often used to identify the function of problem behaviors in order to develop individualized interventions and supports. The data collected through FBA can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of interventions and supports.
Conclusion
Functional Behavioral Assessment is a systematic process for gathering data to identify the function of problem behaviors. It is used to guide the development of individualized interventions and supports for individuals with challenging behaviors. This review provided an overview of FBA, including its history, components, process, and applications. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of FBA in different settings, as well as the development of new interventions and supports based on the data collected from FBA.
References
Hemmeter, M. L., Ostrosky, M. M., & Fox, L. (2020). Functional behavioral assessment: A comprehensive review. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 64(1), 1-13.
Kincaid, D. (2018). Functional behavioral assessment: Principles and practice. Sage Publications.